Experiential Holidays!

This year we decided to change things around regarding the typical Christmas presents. We were having an experiential Christmas and here were the rules:

a. Each person got to choose one experience they wanted to have,

b. Everyone had to participate in all the experiences, and

c. There was one additional "surprize" experience as well (including Tia, TTmouz and Avi)!

The surprize required a 3.5 hour drive (south) and three night's hotel stay in Johor Baru, just on the other side of the causeway with Singapore. We drove down there and enjoyed the evening, swimming pool and all. And then, the next morning we were off. As we neared the place the signs started popping up but the girls, deep in conversation and chatting, didn't notice. Neither did they notice the huge sign on the side of the hill behind the place. But a little further over there was a multi-colored building which prompted Irini to say, "there's a castle!". It wasn't a castle, but a hotel made of different colored pieces... then, with a more curious eye, Irini looked up an read the big sign, "LEGOLAND". "Legoland?" It was more a question than an exclamation... but the question sure turned into excitement when we went in and enjoyed the day. 

Roller coasters, and walks through Lego built buildings, 5D movies and all sorts of fun games and the like. On day two there was the water park (cool!) and a bit more roller coastering!  It was the girls fist visit to an amusement park and this experience, for one, was a huge success!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

 

Old Friends... New Visits!

There are goods and bads with international living and the constant comings and goings which tend to take place when one has signed up for a life like this. Just two days after Amalia said goodbye to her friend Ella Kate there was an arrival... this time by Isabella who we hadn't seen in six months or so!  Isabella and her parents, Jen and Eryk (both very very good friends) cams into town  on their way around the world for the holiday's. KL was their first stop. For us it was perhaps the highlight of the holidays given that we're staying in town this time around. 

Jen and Eryk and Isabella arrived on our last day of school. They were in the apartment waiting when we arrived and, in fact, Isabella went down to the guard house to welcome Amalia and Irini off the bus!  They were, of course, delighted to see her. That was the beginning of the visit. Since then we've done all the little things that makes good friendships good. We did some playing, some art (batik!), some walking around, a whole lot of playing, sleep overs and, of course, good food. In there somewhere the adults also had some time to reconnect, to talk about both practical and philosophical topics and to organize future possibilities of the social kind. 

As they left this morning the hugs were strong as was the recognition that, though we have chosen to live far away from each other, the friendship we have forged is a wonderful thing!  Have a wonderful trip to the rest of the world, guys!  And happy holidays too!

End-of-Semester Celebrations

At the beginning of the academic year, when Amalia was starting off, she had a very positive attitude with regard to a new class where she didn't know anyone particularly well. She went in enjoying the new surroundings and, over time, made some great friendships. One such friend was Ella Kate, a girl who, as it turned out, would only be here for one semester. She played very well and stories of Amalia and Ella Kate came back home on a regular basis. As the year ended and the celebrations included, of course, quality water-based time, it was also our last chance to say "good bye" to that special friend. Thankfully the two of them were in the same group as they went from station to station and perhaps it was a fitting end to a great semester together. But there were other highlights as well, including Amalia's ever-developing skills with cartwheels (below). What a great last day of the semester!

Bouncin'!

Daddy really loves Tigger, lagely because Tigger is just an all round happy-go-lucky kind of guy. His big signature action, of course, is bouncing!  So one can just imagine how excited daddy was when, in a recent outing to the school over a weekend with Hailey, the girls stumbled into bouncy balls. Immediately they decided to become "fire", "earth" and "sky" (another hit for daddy) and bounce to their hearts' contentment. Happy girls, happy daddy. Overall a bouncin' good time!  

Beautiful Girls Growing Up!

 

Time ticks on. The girls grow up. They are as adorable as ever and yet even more so. Now with a wealth of experiences that made the beauty within even more pronounced. Daddy looks at each of them, each and every day, and smiles knowing that love is overflowing in this family! 

I Love the Rain

In passing you can find beautiful moments..

Irini: "Daddy, guess what?"
Daddy: "What?"
Irini: "We were out playing at recess and it started to rain. Everyone else left to stay dry, except for me... I love the rain!"

Daddy hugs and kisses Irini, holding on extra tight for extra long. Don't ever change beautiful girl!

Snippets from School Life

We are very fortunate that Amalia's teachers (and, actually, Irini's too) are very good about keeping track of our children's doings through the photographic lens. That way we get weekly updates from the teachers - in the form of an online newsletter with access to the week's pictures - and we are always delighted to receive them. 

As daddy roamed the world our little ones were in school doing this and that. Amalia had her first field trip to watch a show and then a picnic at a local park, now that the haze has permanently (hopefully) moved away for at least the year. She also was able to pretend she was a fire fighter (which still hasn't swayed her from wanting to be a pedicure expert and zookeeper when she grows up) and had the chance to make a whole bunch of goodies to eat!  The pictures above are just an indication of just how fortunate we are to know that our little girl is in such good hands. She is growing - faster than perhaps we'd like - and loving school.  We love you little one, so very much!

Trips -n- Growin' for daddy

While the time has gone quite unevently at home, daddy has been out and about for the past three weeks now. Two of the three trips were for professional development, in the city. Though quite broadening as professional experiences they pale in comparison to the school trip to Thailand, about five hours north of Chiang Mai, close to the border with Burma (Myanmar) where the hilltribes are small but calm and quiet and friendly. He spent a week there assisting the students in doing community work, kayaking down rivers, visiting fantastic caves and mingling with the locals. While he was there he was also able to challenge his fear (somewhat) of heights. On the last day of the trip, just outside Chiang Mai, the group visited a place called Crazy Horse. It is a climbing place outside but has a high-ceilinged cave on the inside, whose roof has fallen in bringing in light and a sense of wonder and quiet reverence to it. In this instance we walked around on the outside, then did some basic climbing through a small hole into the cave, and then waited for the guides to set up. From there we all had to zipline across the top of the cave (40 meters above ground and perhaps 15 meters across), reach the other side and wait to be changed over to another system of ropes from where we rappelled down to the bottom. 

In retrospect daddy should probably have taken a bit more time to enjoy the moment, but the focus this time around was to remain calm and keep breathing. It wasn't until he made it half way down that he took a moment to look around, and down, and to notice just how special this experience was. Perhaps the start of something big?  Who knows. The video below was taken by the guide though Irini spends the time just laughing at her daddy being "chubby". :-)  

Two wheelin' in Taipei!

 

The break from school allowed us a few days in Taipei to visit our friends Olma and Pete and their three daughters Sheara, Kiana and Vaire. The girls hit is off instantly and within minutes of meeting the house was echoing with a near constant crescendo of screaming children, happily running from one place to another. The five days were warm and friendly, filled with some down time (when they were in school) and up time (when they were off), some static time (usually on computers) and some active time. But, as we soon discovered, there are bikes-a-plenty at their house. So, with the hosts away in school, why not borrow bikes and helmets and head on out!  It wasn't long before Irini was stating that "I'm only going out if I can take my bike". Mommy, of course, would respond "your bike?!?"  When things are fun we tend to get possessive sometimes. :-)

Temple Adventures

The beautiful thing about Buddhist temples is that they are, by and large, friendly, relaxed places with a good deal of nooks and crannies to take little girls adventuring to. We were worried about taking them to a well-used cultural location, especially without their new friends, but as it turned out there was a good deal of stuff to keep the interest going. Walking up winding walkways, turning this way and that toward open spaces beyond. Scenic views. Once above the colors and textures that exemplify temples in Asia take over. Three dimensional columns; multi-colored roof tiles; cultural and religious sculptures; statues of 'gods' (?) with varied looks (some friendly and others scary, and one with eight arms and five heads). But despite the surreal effect of visiting as a westerner making their way through the praying (and continuously bowing) locals, there is a delightful yet solemn welcoming to these places, a peace that makes you recognize its importance as a place of worship. Add a water feature with - of course - turtles, some steep steps and a few trees to climb and you've got yourself a kid friendly temple popular with this particular group of out-of-town tourists!

Know Thyself

Our girl is growing. She is playing with words and expanding ideas. She is developing a sense of self that is both important and beautiful. Her teachers are asking her to express herself in ways that are new and creative. Every day that passes we are reminded, over and over, just how wonderful our children are. There is arguably no sense more wonderful and heart-warming than the overwhelming pride and love for one's child. Thankfully we get to enjoy that every day. Glykoula, we cannot be prouder of who you are now and who you will become. Thank you for being part of our life and for sharing your cares, your fears, your wonder with us!

Shootin' Around

For the longest time daddy has been trying - by stealth or by obvious means - to inspire his girls to be pall players. Though Irini likes some things (especially choir these days) and Amalia others, neither has, so far, shown a massive affinity to ball sports. That doesn't mean, of course, that it's "out" either. On occassion they'll all go out and enjoy a dribble, a shoot around, etc. Sometimes it's in the gym when watching a tournament (like a few weeks ago when daddy and the girls went to watch some varsity volleyball and, of course, ended up playing some on the side during warm ups). Sometimes its in the house (where sometimes they play keep-away or a make shift soccer game in the living room/hallway). Sometimes it's a bit more organized than that and sometimes spontaneous. The pictures above were of a regular outing, but this time to school where the baskets beckoned and daddy didn't need too much convincing to at least try to get the girls shooting around. And so it was, a dribble or two here and a shot or two there, that the first semblance of a shoot around took place. It was also turned into a soccer pass-around, a hoola hoop session, a game of tag and a climb on the monkey bars. Not bad for a morning out. :-)

Daddy's Day

If you ask mommy what she wants for her birthday she'll tell you she wants it to be remembered, to have a little special something, and to include some adult time somewhere. That doesn't, of course, mean she doesn't want whole family time, but she also wants adult time. If you ask daddy what he wants he'll basically say it doesn't matter if no one remembers (though they never forget), he wants no presents and only a small event if anything at all, and he wants to spend the entire day with his children (and wife, of course!). 

So it was this time around as well. The day was spent partly with friends - Kim and Drew and their children Shawn and Allie - and partly at home with the family. It was low key (as requested), nothing extravagant (as requested) and included two cakes (one more than requested and two more than necessary)!!  All in all a great day, surrounded by great friends and spent with a family that never ceases to prioritize the right things: Love and togetherness.

Mommy's Day(s)!

...and in there somewhere, as time kept on ticking, a special day for mommy came and went. Actually it was celebrated over two days. Day one was at home to begin with, with family and with little clues taking mommy around the house to find her gifts. Each gift was cleverly hidden in each girl's room, and mommy found the clues (one in the morning when she woke up and one when she returned from work in the afternoon) on the kitchen table. With each present she followed the hints, flanked by her two girls, and, when necessary, they gave her hints to help her along. Okay, really in Amalia's case she just marched over to where the gift was hidden and just opened the drawer, but Irini was able to guide her mother just perfectly. Either way, they both did great!

Mommy's gifts were partly from her own children/husband, and partly from her father who, as we said out goodbyes at Bogota El Dorado airport a month or so ago, had given daddy some cash along with the directive to get "something nice" for his daughter. And so it was. One massage spa treatment and one spa manicure and pedicure. Mommy was happy as can be.

Following the second set of hints, and the discovery of the second present, it was only natural to celebrate as a family. So off we went to one of our favorite restaurants where, following dinner, we thoroughly enjoyed one piece of chocolate cake and one piece of fruit merangue cake. Both were devoured in a matter of seconds, it seemed. 

Then, the very next day (the actual day), mommy wanted at 'adult only' outing at her favorite Vietnamese restaurant downtown. Who were we to say "no"?  So off we went with the exgtended family and with some choice friends to spend the evening in laughter and very pleasant conversation. It was a low key affair, just like mommy had requested. Perfect. 

We love you mommy! 

... And 'Go' Time Again!

Daddy compared it to jumping on a treadmill that is already going strong. Those first few seconds of one's legs trying to keep up is about what it was like. Of course there was the joy of the return (made more obvious by the sheer energy by which the girls always arrive home as the airplane is descending), and the seeing old friends, but it doesn't take too long to start that treadmill going around here. Withing hours it was meetings and planning and visiting and organizing. The girls had a few extra days to spend getting over jet lag but for mommy and daddy it was run, run, run pretty quickly off the place (okay, we had one full day).

Then, with the preparation week over it was the girls' turn to get going too. Irini had been asking for school to start for quite a while, though Amalia was rather quiet. But when they did finally make it to school it was actually Amalia that was showing more optimism. Irini was worried because she didn't know many of the kids in her class and only one was a "good friend". Amalia's approach: "It's okay that I don't know anyone. That way I get to make new friends!". Within three days Amalia was asking that the long days at school - which started this year - come immediately (they have short days in the first week to adjust). 

Now three weeks in, the girls are happily adjusting to their new circumstances. Irini has nearly daily homework, sometimes fun and sometimes a bit of a chore. Amalia still has none and prefers to come home with lots of stories about what they do each day. Irini is more selective with her stories. Both are doing great. Here we gooooooo!

Amalia's Little Things We'll Miss

Sometimes you get so caught up in the daily grind that you miss the small little incremental changes that happen as little beings grow up. But sometimes it hits you, perhaps a bit late but not late enough to forget for good. 

Amalia has, for a long long time, insistend that she is allergic to tickles. She doesn't mind ticking others, of course, but she has insisted over the years, as mommy or daddy have leaned over to give her a tickle on the neck, or on her sides, that this was not good for her. The normal routine would go something like this. Playing one thing or another turns to laughter and then ticking. Daddy picks her up and pulls her tight, hands around her waste. His tickles come naturally enough and Amalia bursts into a thrust of laughter before, almost pleading, she says "daaaaaaady". Daddy turns to look at her while stopping the action. She looks him in the eye and, with that beautiful sheepish smile of hers, says (sometimes in a whisper) "I'm allergic, remember?". 

Over the summer that particular little ritual reached its end. Amalia, on a warm and beautiful day, announced that she was no longer ticklish and so, just like that and in a blink of an eye, maturity shown and childish playfulness moved onto another form. 

At night, as babies often do, Amalia talks to herself. She is squirmish sometimes and playful, asking many, many questions. Irini has sinced passed this phase and, while Amalia did it regularly, it made little impression. But not going to sleep is different. Self-talk is rare (though still happening) and the tossing and turning that characterised her early days has been replaced with a somewhat rythmic back-and-forthing of her feet on the bed and across her other foot. Her daddy used to do it at that age too. Now the sleep is more direct, the talking rare and the singing, questioning and general energy is not quite the same. 

There are things that you look forward to sometimes, but there are also things you know you'll miss. In this case it's the allergic reactions to tickling and the self talk in bed. She is still as adorable as ever, and conversations are much more delightful and sophisticated, though, so onward to growing up. Laughter, thankfully, is ever present and she continues to have an awesome sense of adventure and a sense of humor that is infectious. Amalia, we love you so, so much!

Transitions

 

We travel a good deal. This summer was no different. Over the course of six weeks we traveled the equivalent of 26 hours of time zone difference (13 hours each way) and were stuck in jet lag mode for close to 20 days (and nights) or so on four different occasions. Long hours in airplanes were part and parcel of our itinerary. But despite it all it has always impressed us just how good the girls are with these types of transitions. They don't seem to mind the constant moving from one room to another (at least not while we're in transit) and sleeping in different beds is just part of what we do. The summer also involved sleeping in nine different beds, landing in six different countries (including transit points) and even more airport lay overs and waiting areas. There was one stretch that was spent in a different location over a five night period and, still, the girls smiled (mostly) their way across the world and back. It is quite impressive really.

But, of course, it's not all them. It's also mommy and daddy's searching for places to be active, to get a bit to eat, to take a walk, to stretch, things to do to ensure that the space if filled with fun and interesting things whether that is in an airport for 20 minutes or in downtown Madrid for a night. Our girls are travelers, to be sure, and with that comes a whole lot of doin' in a whole lot of places.

Surfin'

We had reserved ourselves to the idea that, though we would get to see Vasil, Stelio, Peter and their families we wouldn't get to see Ralph, Anne and Maria this time around. Somehow the plans got away from each other and one thing led to another and the closest we would get would be a three hour difference in the airport. But then, after getting back from Colombia, we went to a shopping center that also has a playground that our girls love. Daddy was "on duty" as mommy was going shopping. Happily playing around they could not have known that their vacation would get that litlte boost of something... Mommy arrived with the news that she just saw Ralph sitting on a bench...

... one thing led to another and the plans changed and so, as sudden as a cool summer breeze, we got an extra boost for the summer. Only this boost brought with it, apart from the special moments of friendship and second family, also some time in the sun... on surfboards!  

So, off we went with the AD gang, and with Stelio and his troop to boot!  The girls soon realized that this was no regular day at the beach - which would cool in and of itself - but rather this would include some special surfing!  So, as Ralph and Anne and Maria took turns paddle boarding out and back, our girls and Mikaela and Anastasia (and Stelio and daddy) took shots at the smaller of the three boards. It was a great day of playing in the sun and, of course, was topped off by a great taverna meal. It was the perfect goodbye to the Greek sun and beach and sea!  Thank you for being part of our lives!